following grace

We were made to be Courageous! And my best friend, she's got it in her. Tommorow, my dear friend Ashton will be leaving to make her dreams come true. For her entire life she has only hoped that one day she would be able to touch the peoples hearts and bless the people of Africa. And tommorow, she's going to do just that. Ashton, is one of the most Godfearing people i know. Our talks give me itty bitty glimpses of the WONDERFUL things God has planned for her life. She is going to do work that half of Americans would never take a chance at. And she's super excited about it. So im asking you, my dear friends and blog readers. Pray for Ashton. Pray for her health, her family while she's away, her safety, her peace, her heart, and that God will use her in life changing ways to these people of Uganda. Ashton, i am praying for you. I will miss you more than you know but i can NOT wait for the stories you will have to share when you get back! God is g...

alot of people tell me often they love my blog but a friend recently has encouraged me to write more about me on MY blog. I've tried before but i really hate to bore you with the things i'm going through, but it's worth a shot every once and a while. Lately i've been pressing hard on the topic of Perspective. Everyone's thoughts and opinions are based on their view point. Often we find ourselves narrowing our minds to only what we can see. Even in the simplest of situations like one i came across today we just shut our minds off to only what we want to or think we hear or see or think. At the same time i never stop thinking, What is God's perspective? If i were to lay this situation right into his hands, what would he tell me to do. What would he see that i am not seeing. Where am i going wrong, what am i missing out on. In life we are always told that we need to weigh all our options but often i don't think we really do. We choose which one suits U...

Babysitting+ living in a military town = tough stuff. Throughout my 6 years of living here and babysitting throughout the town, my name gets passed all over meaning i get all kinds of new families. But when you've grown bonds with each child and see the excitement on their face when they find out your coming to play it makes PCS'ing oh so much harder. A friend of my neighbor has called me several times and a few weeks ago i was babysitting and found out they were leaving two days later for Cali. Knowing that i would possibly never see them again, we heartbreaking. So we made our last time together, one to always remember. I had so much fun with those kiddos, and i know they had a ball too. Ice cream parties.. even if your eating hot fudge on sherbert. YOLO right!? ;) playing in the rain. snuggling your sweet princess extra hard because you know you'll never be able to again. picking flowers. making crazy faces. taking millions...

Throughout life we have SO many firsts... the ones that bring us so much joy. But often we forget to acknowledge the lasts in life.. the ones that bring us much despair. This week was my baby sister's last chorus concert in middle school. I have done chorus my entire school career and gave it up last year. I can only hope and pray that my sweet sister sticks with it throughout high school. The concert was so sweet as i sat listening to songs i had done also in middle school. Her friends were so chatty and nervous. It was so much fun for me now Graduating to see them and remember my 8th grade chorus days. My teacher, my classroom, my friends. All of it is so sentimental. The concert was precious. and even more precious was watching her and her friends get so giddy with every picture. It was such a sweet night. Can't believe my little blonde curly headed baby is graduating middle school soon. Thank you life for the memories you do offer us. May we gr...

This week. FLEW by. Hallelujah! One more week of school, i think i can i think i can! On Sunday it was catchup day.. lots of projects due and homework to complete. On Monday my sweet sister had her last Chorus concert. On Tuesday my little handy man went with me to get my tailight replaced, such a big helper! On Wednesday my newly play station obsessee got caught playing at the table. lol On Thursday big decisions were made! ;) {more on that later} On Friday we got our yearbooks :) And yesterday i went to a sweet going away party for our sweet friends and then spent 5 hours at a dance recital for my friends. Crazy week but super relaxed! Lovin it! Last week of school, finding out big news this week and big plans for next week! Stay tuned!! -Austyn :)

Today was that day we all get so anxious for but yet so sad that all these Seniors are recieving their very last and final High school YEARBOOK. And being that i'm on the crew for next year i'm very excited but i have to admit, this might just be my favorite yearbook ever. The creativity runs wild throughout the entire book and the minor details just make it so perfect. I love my school, the people, the teachers, the atmosphere, the family feel. It definitely holds a special place in my heart and it makes me oh so sad to be kissing it goodbye soon, even if secretly i'm ecstatic. and my favorite part of the book has to be the "slide to succeed" I have so much faith in our Senior class and that they will all go far in life and succeed in their wildest dreams. I am praying God will show them the direction to be a successful person in our society. Summers nearing, and that means graduation. Seeing my best friends ad in the yearbook even though ...

It can't be. Not allowed. On Saturday, my sweet blonde boy turned the big ONE-TWO.  little brother was happy to serve him breakfast in bed. I was happy to watch his peaceful sleeps until lunchtime. Landon was happy to get him 3 pounds of Sour Patch kids. And he was just happy to show us his hilarious mustache. But on a more serious note... Happy Birthday to my sweet prince! I love you more than words could ever express. Your charm gives me great joy. Your intelligence makes me jealous. Your perfect hair makes me laugh. Your style is handsome and your athletic abilities are just outstanding. Before his birthday dinner i took these. I can't even look at them without sobbing. Where is my sweet baby boy who was just rolling around the floor with his paci and sweet baby rolls. He is such a treasure, and i have to say my favorite part of the day was when he asked if he could ride with me to dinner. Both brothers and me. It was such a precious...

Wow. it's honestly a miracle i've even made 5 seconds to edit these pictures and post them. And for the first time in FOREVER they were ALL taken on my camera! So proud of myself! lol On Sunday we celebrated Mothers day and went to the ACC championship game. {picture taken on Sunday but game was Saturday} Monday i decided it was time to conquer my 3 baskets of clothes to fold and put away. Tuesday was back to filling out job applications for all the yummy places opening up by my house. Wednesday started the what turned out to be almost 4 days straight of tempermatic downpour. Thursday after work i went out to Target and did some birthday shopping and returns. Friday we had pizza for dinner but coincidentally it was National Pizza Day. Who knew!? And yesterday i got up early before the birthday boy and brought donuts for everyone and his favorite, a blueberry muffin for him. :) It was quite a boring week but fun none the less. Just r...

I've always had an interest in my mom's college, but with graduation nearing and my friends leaving for college i've really honestly decided it's where i will go, if i get in. I begged her to take me this weekend to tour, and she informed me that she was more than happy to plant the seeds.. and i'd say theyre pretty tightly packed under the soil. God willing, my adventure awaits! ;) -Austyn :)